2013 Kia Soul Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2013 Kia Soul lug nut torque is 87 ft-lbs, tightened with a 21mm socket on M12x1.5 studs. Torque in a star pattern in two passes (snug, then final), and re-check after the first 50–100 miles of driving. Use a calibrated torque wrench — not an impact gun — for the final pass.

Lug nut torque: 87 ft-lbs · Socket size: 21mm · Thread: M12x1.5.

This page is the OEM-referenced fastener summary for the 2013 Kia Soul. Use it before any maintenance or repair job where torque values matter — brake work, wheel changes, suspension service, engine teardowns, or oil changes. Specs are pulled from manufacturer service literature, cross-checked against community data, and updated as new chassis variants become available.

Hyundai/Kia lug-nut torque is 79-88 ft-lbs on nearly all passenger models, M12x1.5 thread, 21mm socket. The Tucson, Sportage, and Santa Fe all use the same fastener spec. Hyundai's oil drain plug threads are unusually fine-pitch and strip easily — always use a torque wrench, not feel.

Common fastener categories on the 2013 Kia Soul

Wheel / lug nut torque and thread spec (covered above)
Brake caliper bracket bolts (typically 80-130 ft-lbs) and slide/guide pins (18-35 ft-lbs)
Engine oil drain plug torque — rarely above 30 ft-lbs; always use a new crush washer
Transmission pan, valve cover, and intake manifold bolts (low torque, often 89-106 in-lbs)
Suspension control arm, sway bar, tie rod end and ball joint torque
Spark plug torque (typically 10-15 ft-lbs on aluminum heads — do not exceed)
Differential cover bolts (RWD/4WD only) and transfer case fasteners

Repair guidance for this model year

For 2013 model-year work: This era introduced widespread torque-to-yield (TTY) bolts on head, main, and crank pulley fasteners. TTY bolts stretch permanently when torqued and must not be reused — the spec calls for a fresh bolt every time. Always verify TTY status against the FSM before reassembly.

Tools you will need

Metric socket set (8mm-22mm), 6-point impact-rated
Calibrated torque wrench (10-150 ft-lbs covers most automotive jobs; add a 0-250 ft-lbs wrench for truck lug nuts)
Breaker bar (24" minimum) for initial loosening
Penetrating oil (PB Blaster or Kroil) for any fastener over 5 years old
Anti-seize on stainless or dissimilar-metal threads; thread-locker (Loctite blue) on critical reassembly

Frequently asked questions

What is the lug nut torque on a 2013 Kia Soul?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 2013 Kia Soul is 87 ft-lbs, using a 21mm socket on M12x1.5 thread studs. Use a calibrated torque wrench in a star pattern, in two passes (50% and 100%), and re-check after 50-100 miles of driving.

What socket size do I need for the 2013 Kia Soul lug nuts?

The 2013 Kia Soul uses a 21mm socket. A 6-point impact-rated socket is recommended over a 12-point chrome socket — 12-points round off lug nuts under impact-driver use.

Are the 2013 Kia Soul fasteners metric or SAE?

Metric is the standard for this vehicle. Most fasteners on this vehicle are metric (M6, M8, M10, M12, M14). Bring a full metric set; SAE substitutes can round the head. Bolt-head markings are the fastest way to confirm grade and material at the bench.

Other Kia Soul years

Same model, different model year — fastener spec may change. Always confirm against the year for your VIN.

→ 2013 Kia Soul oil drain plug torque & size

→ 2013 Kia Soul suspension & steering torque specs (control arm, ball joint, tie rod)

All 45 2013 Kia Soul fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 2013 Kia Soul, sourced from OEM service literature and verified against community shop data. Values pair imperial (ft-lb) and metric (Nm) where the manufacturer publishes both. 2 of the 45 fastener specs on this page are independently verified against OEM service manuals and manufacturer torque data.

Wheels — 2013 Kia Soul

Wheel and lug nut spec for the 2013 Kia Soul. At the wheel hub, the lug nut torques to 87 ft-lbs (21mm drive, M12x1.5 thread). For the wheel hub, plan for a 21mm tool on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 87 ft-lbs (wheel lug nut).

Brakes — 2013 Kia Soul

Brake fasteners on the 2013 Kia Soul — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. For the caliper slide, plan for a 14mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 25 ft-lbs (front slide). Rear slide tightens to 16 ft-lbs, takes a 12mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the caliper slide. The rear bracket uses a 14mm drive on a M12x1.25 thread, torqued to 67 ft-lbs at the caliper bracket. At the caliper bracket, the front bracket torques to 87 ft-lbs (17mm drive, M14x1.5 thread). For the caliper slide, plan for a 14mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 25 ft-lbs (front brake caliper slide pin bolt). Rear brake caliper slide pin bolt tightens to 16 ft-lbs, takes a 12mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the caliper slide.

Engine — 2013 Kia Soul

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2013 Kia Soul, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. Valve cover tightens to 7 ft-lbs, takes a 10mm driver, runs on M6x1.0 threads, located at the valve cover. The intake manifold bolt uses a 12mm drive on a M8x1.25 thread, torqued to 15 ft-lbs at the intake manifold. At the oil pan, the oil pan torques to 25 ft-lbs (17mm drive, M14x1.5 thread). For the intake manifold, plan for a 12mm tool on a M8x1.25 stud; final torque is 15 ft-lbs (intake). Oil drain plug tightens to 25 ft-lbs (34 Nm), takes a 22mm driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads, located at the engine / oil pan. The spark plug uses a 22mm drive on a M14x1.25 thread, torqued to 13-17 ft-lbs at the engine. At the engine, the alternator mounting bolt torques to 30-40 ft-lbs (17mm drive, M10x1.25 thread). For the cylinder head, plan for a 12mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 22 ft-lbs + 90 + 90 deg (cylinder head bolt). Cylinder head tightens to 22 ft-lbs + 90 + 90 deg, takes a 12mm driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads, located at the cylinder head. The oil pan drain plug uses a 17mm drive on a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 25 ft-lbs at the oil pan. At the engine, the valve cover bolt torques to 7-10 ft-lbs (10mm drive, M6x1.0 thread).

Drivetrain — 2013 Kia Soul

Drivetrain and driveline fasteners for the 2013 Kia Soul — axle, transmission, and differential plugs. The transmission mount bolt uses a 19mm drive on a M12x1.25 thread, torqued to 55-70 ft-lbs at the drivetrain. At the rear axle, the axle nut rear torques to 170-200 ft-lbs (TBD drive, M24x1.5 thread). For the front axle, plan for a TBD tool on a M24x1.5 stud; final torque is 170-200 ft-lbs (axle nut front).

Suspension — 2013 Kia Soul

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 2013 Kia Soul — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. At the control arm, the front control arm bolt torques to 55 ft-lbs (17mm drive, M12x1.5 thread). For the front suspension, plan for a 19mm tool on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 70-85 ft-lbs (front lower control arm rear bolt). Front lower control arm front bolt tightens to 70-85 ft-lbs, takes a 19mm driver, runs on M12x1.25 threads, located at the front suspension. The rear shock absorber upper nut uses a 19mm drive on a M12x1.25 thread, torqued to 35-45 ft-lbs at the rear suspension. At the front suspension, the stabilizer bar link nut front torques to 25-35 ft-lbs (17mm drive, M10x1.25 thread). For the ball joint, plan for a 17mm tool on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 44 ft-lbs (ball joint). Rear shock absorber lower bolt tightens to 85-100 ft-lbs, takes a 22mm driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads, located at the rear suspension. The front strut top mount nut uses a 22mm drive on a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 30-40 ft-lbs at the front suspension. At the ball joint, the front ball joint nut torques to 44 ft-lbs (17mm drive, M12x1.5 thread). For the sway bar link, plan for a 14mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 37 ft-lbs (sway bar link nut). Control arm tightens to 55 ft-lbs, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads, located at the control arm. The strut uses a 17mm drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 40 ft-lbs at the strut top mount. At the sway bar link, the sway bar torques to 37 ft-lbs (14mm drive, M10x1.25 thread).

Steering — 2013 Kia Soul

Steering linkage fasteners on the 2013 Kia Soul. For the steering, plan for a 19mm tool on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 25-33 ft-lbs (tie rod end nut). Steering wheel center bolt tightens to 30-38 ft-lbs, takes a 24mm driver, runs on M16x1.5 threads, located at the steering. The power steering pump bolt uses a 17mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 22-30 ft-lbs at the engine.

Body — 2013 Kia Soul

Body fasteners on the 2013 Kia Soul. Hood hinge bolt tightens to 15-20 ft-lbs, takes a 13mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the body / hood.

Transmission — 2013 Kia Soul

Transmission fasteners on the 2013 Kia Soul. The trans mount uses a 14mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 40 ft-lbs at the transmission mount.

Brake — 2013 Kia Soul

Brake fasteners on the 2013 Kia Soul. At the rear brake, the rear brake caliper bracket bolt torques to 50-65 ft-lbs (19mm drive, M12x1.25 thread). For the front brake, plan for a 17mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 22-30 ft-lbs (front brake caliper guide pin bolt). OEM-verified spec. Front brake caliper bracket bolt tightens to 55-70 ft-lbs, takes a 19mm driver, runs on M12x1.25 threads, located at the front brake. The rear brake caliper guide pin bolt uses a 17mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 20-28 ft-lbs at the rear brake. This figure is independently verified against OEM service data.

Wheel — 2013 Kia Soul

Wheel fasteners on the 2013 Kia Soul. For the wheel, plan for a 19mm tool on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm) (wheel lug nuts).

New to torquing wheels? Read our How lug nut torque works — the complete guide for star-pattern sequence, re-torque intervals, and how to read a lug spec — then use the 2013 Kia Soul numbers above.

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